F1 drops one of the 2026 rules' strangest quirks

F1 has tweaked a 2026 power‑unit rule that forced drivers to stay at ≥98 % throttle for a full second before entering power‑limited mode. The new logic auto‑engages the limit one second after the 98 % threshold, even if the driver eases off, removing the “pending” quirk that cost Charles Leclerc a battery shortfall in China.

Why it matters:

• Drivers no longer lose precious joules when they briefly lift off the throttle, making qualifying laps more about pure speed.
• Teams gain cleaner energy‑usage data and fans see a smoother, more natural competition without hidden software penalties.

The details:

• The original 2026 rule demanded a 1‑second “pending” phase at ≥98 % throttle; lifting off reset the timer, which penalised drivers like Leclerc in China when a quick correction forced a second phase and drained extra energy.
• The mid‑season fix, approved before the Miami GP, now locks power‑limited mode one second after the 98 % threshold is reached, regardless of subsequent throttle changes, erasing the odd energy loss.

What's next:

Miami will be the first race to test the new logic. If it works smoothly, the FIA may adopt the change for the rest of the 2026 era, though McLaren’s Mark Temple cautions that other unexpected quirks could still emerge.